System and method for monitoring completed manufacturing operations

ABSTRACT

A method and system comprise a tool, a number of radios, and a processor. The tool has a sensor and a wireless transmitter, and is configured to perform an operation on an area. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit a signal comprising sensor data upon completion of the operation. The number of radios is configured to generate location measurements using the signal. The processor is configured to identify a location of the area using the location measurements and generate an indication of completion of the operation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/145,637, filed Jun. 25 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.8,311,658. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/145,637 is related toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/145,604, now U.S. Pat. No.7,876,216, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/145,623, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,819,025, both filed on Jun. 25, 2008, each of whichapplications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field

This disclosure generally relates to manufacturing operations, and dealsmore particularly with a system and related method for locating andreporting completed manufacturing operations, especially those involvingthe assembly of parts.

2. Background

During the production of complex assemblies, such as aircraft, there issometimes a need to monitor manufacturing operations and verify thatcertain operations or procedures have been properly performed. Forexample, aircraft landing gear may be controlled by hydraulic systemscomprising hundreds of hydraulic tubes and fittings that must beassembled within a relatively small space within a wheel well. Each ofthese fittings may include a nut that is tightened or “torqued” by anassembly worker to a nominal torque value. Because of the large numberof nuts that must be torqued, it is desirable to both monitor which nutshave been torqued, and verify that the nuts have been torqued to thecorrect values, since the failure to properly assemble fittings and/ortorque nuts to nominal values may result in hydraulic leaks that must belater corrected. Past attempts to monitor and verify nut torquing haveinvolved an assembly worker painting marks on the nuts to visuallyindicate that they have been torqued; however, this technique may besubject to human error, and in any event, may not allow verificationthat the nut has been torqued to the correct value.

Verifying that nuts have been torqued to the correct values may beparticularly challenging where they are tightly clustered or are locatednear obstructions that prevent an assembly worker from using aconventional torque-reading wrench to tighten the nuts. In these limitedclearance situations, the assembly worker must use off-axis wrenchesthat may not provide an accurate indication of the torque value.Accordingly, the assembly worker must resort to non-precise techniquesused for estimating the amount of torque needed to tighten the nut.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system for monitoring and verifyingthe completion of certain manufacturing operations, such as torquing ofnuts, particularly in an aircraft assembly environment.

SUMMARY

In an illustrative example, a system comprises a tool, a number ofradios, and a processor. The tool has a sensor and a wirelesstransmitter, and is configured to perform an operation on an area. Thewireless transmitter is configured to transmit a signal comprisingsensor data upon completion of the operation. The number of radios isconfigured to generate location measurements using the signal. Theprocessor is configured to determine a location of the area using thelocation measurements and generate an indication of completion of theoperation.

In another illustrative example, a method is present. A signalcomprising sensor data is received from a wireless transmitterassociated with a tool upon completion of an operation on an area usingthe tool. Location measurements are generated from the signal. Alocation of the wireless transmitter is identified in an object spaceusing the location measurements. A location of the area in an imagecoordinate system is identified using the location of the wirelesstransmitter in the object space. Completion of the operation isindicated in an image using the location of the area in the imagecoordinate system.

In yet another illustrative example, a method is presented. A number ofsignals are received from a wireless transmitter associated with a tool,the number of signals transmitted during an operation on an area usingthe tool. Location measurements are generated from the number ofsignals. A location of the area in an object space is identified usingthe location measurements. The location of the area in the object spaceis converted to a location in an image coordinate system.

The features and functions can be achieved independently in variousembodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet otherembodiments in which further details can be seen with reference to thefollowing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a block diagram of a system for locatingthe completion of manufacturing operations in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of an aircraft,including a three dimensional coordinate system used to define thelocation of manufacturing operations performed within the aircraft inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a perspective view showing a portion of awheel well forming part of the aircraft shown in FIG. 2 in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of a wrenchused to torque nuts on hydraulic fittings within the wheel well shown inFIG. 3 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a block diagram of a circuit forming partof the torque wrench shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a combined block and diagrammatic illustration of a system forlocating and reporting the completion of manufacturing operationsperformed in a harsh radio frequency (RF) environment in accordance withan illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a simplified flow diagram of a method forlocating the three dimensional position of the pulse signal transmitterforming part of the system shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the major components ofthe system for locating and reporting the completion of manufacturingoperations in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of one typical screen display showing alocated manufacturing operation and reported completion status inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of another screen display showing summaryinformation related to manufacturing operations and reported completionstatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a simplified flow diagram illustrating amethod for locating and reporting the completion of manufacturingoperations in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a side view of a fixed-head torque wrenchplaced on a fastener in proximity to an obstruction allowing limitedhandle clearance in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a view similar to FIG. 12 but depictingthe use of a torque wrench having a flexible head to avoid theobstruction in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a perspective view of a nut illustratingthe forces applied to the nut by a torque wrench in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a top view of a portion of an electronictorque wrench, shown engaging a fastener in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a perspective view of the torque wrenchshown in FIG. 15 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of another perspective view of the torquewrench shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, but without the fastener in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of a top view of another embodiment of theelectronic torque wrench in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a perspective view of the electronictorque wrench shown in FIG. 18 in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of a flow diagram of aircraft production andservice methodology in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an illustration of a block diagram of an aircraft inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a manufacturing environment in the form ofa block diagram in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an illustration of a torque wrench in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an illustration of a process for indicating the completion ofan operation, in the form of a flowchart, in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an illustration of a process for indicating the completion ofan operation, in the form of a flowchart, in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed embodiments provide a system for monitoring the completionof manufacturing operations in a manufacturing environment and can beused where a large number of similar or identical operations arerequired to be performed and it is necessary to monitor those operationshave been performed and those that are yet to be performed. Thedisclosed system allows remote monitoring of the completion ofoperations, as well as local monitoring by an assembly worker so thatthe worker can quickly determine which operations have already beencompleted. In one embodiment, the system may be used for determiningwhen operations have been performed on subassemblies or groups ofassemblies.

In addition to monitoring the completion of manufacturing operations,the system may transmit data representing a condition, such as a torquevalue in applications where the system is used to monitor torquing ofnuts within a wheel well of an aircraft. The disclosed embodiments mayinclude a display system that provides an image of the completedoperation within a three dimensional display of its surroundingenvironment, as well as a display of the acquired data relating to theoperation that has been completed.

According to one disclosed embodiment, a system is provided formonitoring the completion of manufacturing operations in a manufacturingenvironment, comprising: means for determining when an operation hasbeen completed; means for wirelessly transmitting a signal from thelocation of the operation indicating the operation has been completed;means for locating the 3D position of the operation in a coordinatesystem of the manufacturing environment based on the transmitted signal;a data set representing a 3D image of the manufacturing environment; andmeans for displaying the 3D image of the manufacturing environment andfor displaying the location of the completed operation within the 3Dimage. The means for determining whether an operation has been completedmay include a tool for completing the operation wherein the wirelesstransmitting means is carried on the tool. In one application, the toolmay comprise a torque wrench including a strain gauge sensor for sensingthe applied torque.

According to another disclosed embodiment, a system is provided formonitoring the completion of an operation performed on subassemblieswithin a manufacturing environment, comprising: a portable tool forperforming an operation on each of the subassemblies; a wirelesstransmitter on the tool for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicatingthe tool has completed an operation on one of the subassemblies; meansfor locating the position of the tool in a first 3D coordinate system inthe manufacturing environment, based on the transmitted signal; a dataset representing a 3D image of the manufacturing environment in a second3D image coordinate system; a processor coupled with a locating meansand the data set for converting the 3D position of the tool located inthe first coordinate system to a 3D position in the second coordinatesystem; and display means for displaying the location of the tool in a3D image of the manufacturing environment. The tool may comprise atorque wrench including means for sensing when the torque wrench hasapplied a preselected level of torque to the subassembly, and a triggercircuit for triggering the operation of a wireless transmitter. Themanufacturing environment may comprise a harsh radio frequency (RF)environment and the transmitted signal may comprise an ultra wideband(UWB) pulse signal. The manufacturing environment may comprise anaircraft undergoing assembly and the subassemblies may include fastenerstightened by the tool.

According to a disclosed method embodiment, monitoring operationsperformed on subassemblies within a manufacturing environment comprises:moving a tool to the location of one of the subassemblies; using thetool to complete an operation on the subassembly; wirelesslytransmitting a signal from the tool indicating that the operation of thesubassembly has been completed; receiving the transmitted signal; usingthe received signal to locate the position of the tool in a 3Dcoordinate system of the manufacturing environment; providing a 3D datafile representing a 3D image of the manufacturing environment;converting the located position of the tool in the 3D coordinate systemof the manufacturing environment to a position in the coordinate systemof the 3D image of the manufacturing environment; and displaying thesubassembly on which the operation was completed within the 3D image ofthe manufacturing environment. The subassemblies may comprise fasteners,and moving the tool may include moving a wrench to a fastener on thesubassembly where it is used to tighten the fastener. The method mayfurther comprise measuring the level of torque applied to the fastener,and transmitting the wireless signal may include transmitting themeasured level of torque.

The disclosed embodiments satisfy a need for monitoring the completionof manufacturing operations in a manufacturing environment in whichoperations are automatically located and displayed.

Referring first to FIG. 1, locating and reporting system 20 may be usedfor locating each of a plurality of manufacturing operations 22 withinmanufacturing environment 24, and for reporting the status of at leastone operation at the located manufacturing. The reported status mayinclude a notice that the operation has been started, is underway,and/or has been completed. The three dimensional location of each ofmanufacturing operations 22 may be defined in three dimensionalcoordinate system 26 within manufacturing environment 24. In oneembodiment, manufacturing environment 24 may be a harsh radio frequencyenvironment in which obstructions or other environmental factors resultin radio frequency signal reflection, signal attenuation, and/or signalblockage due to the lack of line of sight between transmitter andreceiver.

Locating and reporting system 20 may include locating system 28, andreporting and display system 30 which can be used to monitor thelocation of manufacturing operations 22 within three-dimensionalcoordinate system 26 and display these operations as well as the statusof manufacturing operations 22 within a second, later discussedcoordinate system. As will be discussed below in more detail, locatingand reporting system 20 may be used to locate each of manufacturingoperations 22 directly or indirectly by locating a portable componentsuch as a torque wrench which may be moved to the location of each ofmanufacturing operations 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, locating and reporting system 20 may be used tolocate manufacturing operations 22 on aircraft 32, in which object spacemay be defined in three dimensional coordinate system 26 of aircraft 32.Manufacturing operations 22 may comprise, for example and withoutlimitation, operations such as the assembly of subassemblies (not shown)during the production of aircraft 32. For example, as shown in FIG. 3,wheel well 36 on aircraft 32 may contain a multiplicity of hydraulictubes 40 having threaded fittings 41 provided with nuts 38 forconnecting and tightening threaded fittings 41. Nuts 38 may also bereferred to as fasteners. The assembly of threaded fittings 41,including torquing of nuts 38, comprises assembly operations that may bemonitored and reported using locating and reporting system 20. Wheelwell 36 may include various metallic structures 42 used forreinforcement or component mounting that preclude line of sight withinwheel well 36 and/or reflect or attenuate radio frequency signals. Insome cases, nuts 38 may be located in close quarters to which there maybe limited access, as where they are tightly grouped, for example,against bulkhead 43.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4-8 which depict additional details oflocating and reporting system 20 adapted for use in locating andreporting the torque condition of nuts 38. In this application, as bestseen in FIG. 6, locating and reporting system 20 may utilize a UWB pulsesignal to locating system 28 which comprises a UWB pulse signaltransmitter 52 carried on electronic torque wrench 44, and a pluralityof UWB radios 60 that are optimally positioned within wheel well 36 suchthat at least two of UWB radios 60 are within the line of sight of eachof nuts 38.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic torque wrench 44 used to torque nuts38 includes head 45 mounted on the end of handle 46. Head 45 includesjaws 48 for engaging the flats of the nuts 38, and a strain gauge sensor50 mounted near the jaws 48. Strain gauge sensor 50 produces anelectrical signal related to the magnitude of the torque applied to nut38 by electronic torque wrench 44.

Additional components contained within electronic torque wrench 44 areshown in FIG. 5. UWB pulse signal transmitter 52 is contained withinhandle 46 and transmits UWB pulse signals on antenna 56 carried on orwithin handle 46. The UWB pulse signals transmitted by UWB pulse signaltransmitter 52 may include data representing the magnitude of torquesensed by strain gauge sensor 50, or more simply that a torque ofunreported value has been applied. The analog signal generated by straingauge sensor 50 may be converted to a digital signal by converter 55.Measuring/trigger circuit 57 measures the digital signal and issues atrigger signal when the measured signal exceeds a threshold value,indicating, for example, that a nut has been torqued to a nominal value,or has surpassed a minimum threshold to indicate torque has been or isbeing applied. Processor 51 and memory 53 control various operations ofelectronic torque wrench 44, including UWB pulse signal transmitter 52and annunciator 58 on head 45 which alerts an assembly worker that thetorque being applied to a nut 38 has reached a nominal value, which maybe stored in memory 53. Processor 51 may comprise a microprocessor, orany other suitable processor. Memory 53 may be associated with processor51. The annunciator 58 may comprise, for example and without limitation,an LED or other light (shown at 58), an audio signal generator (notshown), or a vibrator (not shown) in handle 46. The electroniccomponents of electronic torque wrench 44, including UWB pulse signaltransmitter 52 may be powered by battery 54 housed within handle 46. Itmay be possible to retrofit conventional wrenches with one or more ofthe electronic components mentioned immediately above to provide therequired functions of electronic torque wrench 44.

Certain manufacturing operations requiring the use of electronic torquewrench 44 may be conducted within harsh radio frequency environments,such as the illustrated aircraft wheel well application, that lackinfrastructure which could otherwise provide references useful in makinglocation measurements. Accordingly, in harsh radio frequencyenvironments, the nodes, i.e., UWB radios 60 may be deployed atpositions that optimize line of sight communication with the locationswhere nuts 38 are to be torqued. The three dimensional coordinate system26 established within wheel well 36 allows estimations of locationswithin a common frame of reference. It may also be desirable to optimizethe transmission protocol in order to reject reflective signals by usingtiming techniques carried in the leading edge of the transmitted UWBpulse signals.

According to one embodiment, the generated pulse signals may be basebandsignals that are mixed by a mixer to move their center frequency to thedesired frequency bands which may be, in an application involvingmonitoring of nut torquing within wheel well 36, around 4 GHz, providingan effective spectrum of approximately 3.1 to 5.1 GHz, and locationmeasurement accuracy less than approximately one-half inch. In otherapplications, UWB pulse signal transmitter 52 having a center frequencyof approximately 6.85 GHz for a full FCC part 15 spectrum spread of3.1-10.6 GHz, may be appropriate.

In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, the deployment of ad hocnodes in the form of UWB radios 60 can be used to navigate around anyblockages in the line of sight between the location of UWB pulse signaltransmitter 52 and UWB radios 60. Various reference materials exist inthe art which teach suitable methods and techniques for resolvingpositional estimates in a network of ad hoc nodes, including, forexample and without limitation, the following:

-   Bormann et al., “Robust Header Compression WG”, 61st Internet    Engineering Task Force Meeting (IETF 61), November 2004.-   Perkins, C., “Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) Routing”,    Network Working Group, RFC 3561, July 2003.-   Agarwal, A. and S. Das, “Dead Reckoning in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks”,    IEEE WCNC 2003, the 2003 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking    Conference, March 2003.-   Thales Research & Technology Ltd. “Indoor Positioning”, available    online from Thales Research & Technology Ltd.

Some of the techniques well known in the art use iterative lateration ofthe generated pulse signals by solving a constraint based positionalmodel. While this approach may be satisfactory for some applications, inother applications, such as locating nuts within an aircraft wheel well,it may be necessary that the ad hoc network be propagated with positionaware nodes in order to provide the desired results.

As will be discussed below in more detail, UWB radios 60 receive thepulse signals from electronic torque wrench 44 and generate locationmeasurements that may be used to calculate the location of electronictorque wrench 44, and thus, the location of nut 38 being torqued by thewrench 44. In other embodiments, it may be possible to use one or moreUWB radios 60 which include a pair of spaced apart receiving antennas 60c and 60 d. UWB radio 60 generates location measurements based on theangle of arrival (AOA) and the time difference of arrival (TDOA) ofpulse signals 76 transmitted by UWB pulse signal transmitter 52 onelectronic torque wrench 44. In the case of UWB radios 60, pulse signals76 arrive respectively at antennas 60 c and 60 d at slightly differentangles θ₁ and θ₂ relative to reference axis 80 that is based in threedimensional coordinate system 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) used to locate nuts 38in the three dimensional object space. Similarly, UWB radios 60 eachmeasure the AOA and TDOA of the arriving pulse signals 76 relative toreference axis 80. The AOA and TDOA measurements generated by at leasttwo of UWB radios 60 may then be used to calculate the three dimensionallocation of UWB pulse signal transmitter 52 (and thus electronic torquewrench 44 and nut 38) using common iterative lateralization techniques.

Any of several different techniques may be employed for measuring theAOA positioning. One such method has been previously described in whichUWB radios 60 include two spaced apart receiving antennas 60 c and 60 deach of which receives the signal transmitted by UWB pulse signaltransmitter 52. The angle of the line connecting UWB radios 60 andelectronic torque wrench 44 is measured with respect to source datastored in 3D data sets 72. 3D data sets 72 may take the form of threedimensional data set files. The reference angle corresponds to theorientation of the line intersecting each of the collocated receivingantennas 60 c and 60 d. By measuring orientation to multiple referenceantennas, the position of electronic torque wrench 44 may be determined.

Various techniques can be used for measuring TDOA. One such methodinvolves receiving the transmitted pulse signals by multiple UWB radios60 and dedicating UWB reference radio 60 a to calibrating the remainingUWB radios 60 in the network. The receiving UWB radio 60 determines thedirect path to electronic torque wrench 44 by measuring the TDOA of thesignal. At least four such measurements may be required to determine theposition of electronic torque wrench 44 by iterative lateration.

The performance of UWB radios 60 may be measured in terms of the packetsuccess rate, accuracy of measured vs. actual distance, standarddeviation, and the signal/noise levels. The packet success rate may bedefined as the number of successful packet exchanges between UWB radios60. The measured distance is computed by processing the UWB pulsesignals transmitted by UWB pulse signal transmitter 52. The actualdistance is the distance between two receiving UWB radios 60 as measuredusing a physical device. The standard deviation is a measure of howwidely the measured distance values are dispersed from the mean. Thesignal and noise levels may be computed from the signal waveform asfollows:

${SignalLevel} = {10*{\log\left( \frac{SquareofMaxValueofADCCounts}{2} \right)}}$NoiseLevel=10*log(NoiseVarianceof5 nsOfTheWaveform)

Locating system 28 may include UWB reference radio 60 a which broadcastsbeacon signal 65 that is used to calibrate UWB radios 60. Because of theclose quarters and various obstructions such as structure 42 that may bepresent within wheel well 36, one or more of UWB radios 60, such as UWBradio 60 e may not be within the line of sight of UWB pulse signaltransmitter 52. The required accuracy or location measurement where theline of sight between UWB pulse signal transmitter 52 and one of UWBradios 60 is blocked can be overcome by installing extra UWB radios 60over the minimum number required for normal TDOA calculations, and thenperforming signal processing algorithms to identify the particularreceiver that is not within line of sight with UWB pulse signaltransmitter 52.

The location measurements generated by UWB radios 60 may be transmittedfrom locating system 28 to UWB receiver and data assembler 62 whichassembles the location measurements, along with the torque data formingpart of the pulse signals transmitted from electronic torque wrench 44.Depending upon the application, the assembled data may be transmittedthrough network 64 to monitoring, display, and reporting system 30.Networks 54 may comprise, for example and without limitation, a WAN,LAN, or the Internet. Monitoring, display, and reporting system 30 mayinclude processor 66, data compilation program 68, data display program70, three dimensional data set files 72, and one or more displays, suchas display 74 and portable display 75.

Processor 66 may comprise a programmed PC which uses data compilationprogram 68 to calculate the position of UWB pulse signal transmitter 52based on the location measurements. Processor 66 also uses data displayprogram 70 to cause the display of images which illustrate or highlightthe location of the nut 38 being torqued within a three dimensionalimage produced from 3D data set files 72. Three dimensional data setfiles 72 may comprise, for example and without limitation, a CAD fileproduced by any of various solid modeling programs such as, withoutlimitation, CATIA. In effect, monitoring, display, and reporting system30 maps the locations of the nuts 38 to data set coordinates in thesolid modeling program.

The method for calculating the position of UWB pulse signal transmitter52 is illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the AOA and TDOA are respectivelymeasured at 82 and 84 by UWB radios 60. In some cases, measurement biasmay be introduced as a result of the lack of line of sight between UWBradios 60, and incorrect lock on the signal to detect direct path orleading edge of the signal. This is due to the consistent leading edgedetection occurring at the shortest path between UWB radios 60. Thismeasurement bias may be compensated using any of several methods,including using leading edge algorithms using look-up tables for regionswithin wheel well 36 to compensate for the bias or for counting for theerror as position errors. Accordingly, compensation may be made at 86for the measurement bias. Finally, at 88, processor 66 calculates thethree dimensional position of UWB pulse signal transmitter 52 withinthree dimensional coordinate system 26 of manufacturing environment 24,which in the illustrated example comprises wheel well 36.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 8, displays 74 and 75 each combinegraphic and quantitative data in real time to provide a display of thecurrent state of wheel well 36. In order to display nut 38 being torquedin a three dimensional reference image assembled from 3D data set files72, processor 66 mathematically translates the 3D location of UWB pulsesignal transmitter 52 in three dimensional coordinate system 26 of wheelwell 36, to a second coordinate system 34 of the 3D image created from3D data set files 72. The first three dimensional coordinate system 26effectively defines object space 35, i.e., the 3D space in whichelectronic torque wrench 44 is moved from nut to nut in nuts 38, andcoordinate system 34 defines image space 37 containing the displayedimage created from 3D data set files 72.

Display 74 may be used by production personnel to remotely locate,monitor, and record the status (e.g., initiation, progress, and/orcompletion), of assembly operations, such as the torquing of nuts 38.Additionally, display 75 may be portable and may be employed by anassembly worker to view the same or similar data that is displayed ondisplay 74 so that the worker can monitor and verify which of nuts 38have been torqued, or have yet to be torqued.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 which discloses a typical screen display90 that may be viewed on either of displays 74 or 75. In this example,hydraulic module 92 is displayed in which arrow 96 is used to indicatenut 94 that is or has just been torqued. Summary information in table 98may also be displayed which may indicate module number 100 identifyinghydraulic module 92, fitting number 102 identifying the particularfitting being torqued, status 104 of torque completion, and final torquevalue 106.

Referring now also to FIG. 10, summary information may be displayed ondisplay 74 that may include groups 110 of modules along with indicia 112that identifies the module group. Additionally, table 114 may bedisplayed that shows torque status in summary form. For example, thetorque status may include number 116 of nuts that have been torqued forgroup 110, and number 118 of nuts that have not yet been torqued foreach of module group regions 120. A variety of other types of specificsummary information may be displayed along with images of the modulesand/or fittings, all in real time while an assembly worker is assemblingthe fittings and torquing nuts 38.

Referring to FIG. 11, according to a method embodiment, torquing of nuts38 may be monitored, recorded, and displayed. Beginning at 122, aproduction worker uses electronic torque wrench 44 to torque a nut 38.When strain gauge sensor 50 (FIGS. 4 and 5) senses that the nominal orthreshold torque value has been reached, electronic torque wrench 44transmits torque signals comprising UWB pulse signals that contain thetorque value, shown at step 124. The torque signals (UWB pulse signals)are received at UWB radios 60 within wheel well 36, as shown at 126. Theresulting location measurements are then used by processor 66 tocalculate the location of electronic torque wrench 44 in threedimensional object space, as shown at 128. At 130, processor 66associates the wrench location with nut 38, and at 132, the torque valuefor nut 38 is recorded. At 134, processor 66 translates the location ofnut 38 from three dimensional coordinate system 26 of wheel well 36, tocoordinate system 34 of the three dimensional space represented by thedisplayed image. Nut 38 is then displayed along with the recorded torquevalue at 134. Torque verification reports may be optionally generated,as desired, at 136.

The disclosed embodiments described above may provide for theacquisition and display of both the location and quantitative datarelating the manufacturing operation that is performed. For example,where electronic torque wrench 44 transmits signals that identify itslocation and a torque reading, both the location of electronic torquewrench 44 and the acquired torque reading may be remotely or locallyrecorded and displayed. However, the disclosed embodiments may also beuseful where the signals transmitted from electronic torque wrench 44contain only information indicating the location of electronic torquewrench 44. For example, when a worker initiates and/or completes atorquing operation, he or she may manually initiate the transmission ofa signal from electronic torque wrench 44 using a transmit switch (notshown) on electronic torque wrench 44 which initiates transmission of asignal that indicates the location of the wrench, and inferentially,that an operation has just been initiated or taken place on a fitting atthe location of the wrench.

Referring now to FIG. 12, head 45 of electronic torque wrench 44 may bepositioned around nut 38 used to tighten one of threaded fittings 41 ontube 40. The position of handle 46 is fixed relative to head 45. In thisexample, handle 46 of electronic torque wrench 44 is closely positionednext to obstruction 200 which may comprise, for example and withoutlimitation, a bulkhead in which the clearance space “C” is insufficientfor a worker to grasp handle 46. One solution to this problem is shownin FIG. 13 which illustrates electronic torque wrench 202 in whichhandle 204 is pivotally connected to head 206 by means of hinge 208, andthus may be referred to as having a “flexible” head 206. By virtue ofthe pivotal connection formed by hinge 208, handle 204 may be swungthrough any angle θ so that a worker may freely grasp and rotate handle204, free of obstruction 200.

Attention is also now directed to FIG. 14 which illustrates the forcesapplied to one of nuts 38 using electronic torque wrench 202 shown inFIG. 13. The symmetry of nut 38 may be defined in three dimensionalcoordinate system 210 comprising orthogonal x, y, and z axes. The z axisforms the axis of rotation 222 of fastener 38. The rotational force,i.e., torque, which produces rotation of nut 38 is applied to fastener38 within a plane defined by the x and y axes and which is orthogonalwith respect to the axis of rotation 222. When handle 204 of electronictorque wrench 202 is axially aligned with head 206 as shown by dashedline position 212 in FIG. 13, the force F applied to handle 204 actsthrough a distance “D” within the x-y plane to produce a torque which isthe product of F×D. When, however, handle 204 is swung to full line(FIG. 13) position 212 a through an angle θ, a portion of the appliedforce F results in an “off axis” force component F_(z) parallel to the zaxis. The off-axis force component F_(z) may result in an error intorque measurement. In other words, when the force F is not appliedentirely within the x-y plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation 222,the torque readings may contain an error. This error is sometimesreferred to as the “cosine error” since the magnitude of the error isproportional to the cosine of the angle θ.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 15-17 which depict features ofelectronic torque wrench 202 that may substantially eliminate cosineerror. Electronic torque wrench 202 broadly comprises handle 204pivotally connected to head 206 by means of hinge 208 that allowspivotal motion of handle 204 about axis 216. Thus, hinge 208 allowshandle 204 to be swung or pivoted through an angle θ, out of the x-yplane shown in FIG. 14, to any of a plurality of positions in thoseapplications where it may be necessary to avoid obstruction 200 (FIG.13).

Head 206 broadly comprises first head portion 218 that engages nut 38and second head portion 224 pivotally connected to the end of handle 204by means of hinge 208. In the illustrated example, first head portion218 comprises opposing jaws which engage flats 38 a of nut 38; however,first head portion 218 may have other geometries such as a socketconfiguration (not shown), depending on the application. First andsecond head portions 218 and 224 are pivotally connected by means oftorque reacting first link 226, and second and third connecting links228 and 230.

Torque reacting first link 226 is elongate and has its opposite endsrespectively pivotally connected at pivot points 232 to ear 218 a onfirst head portion 218, and to second head portion 224. Torque reactingfirst link 226 has longitudinal axis 235 which passes through pivotpoints 232 and extends perpendicular to reference line 236 passingthrough rotational axis 222 of nut 38. Connecting links 228 and 230 arepositioned on opposite sides of torque reacting first link 226 and eachhave their opposite ends pivotally connected at pivot points 234,respectively to first and second head portions 218 and 224. Referencelines 238 connecting the pivot points 234 of each of connecting links228 and 230 each pass through rotational axis 222.

Although the connecting links 228 and 230 are positioned on oppositesides of torque reacting first link 226 in the illustrated example,other arrangements are possible; for example, connecting links 228 and230 may be mounted on the same side of torque reacting first link 226,or may lie in different planes. It should also be noted here that theuse of more than two connecting links 228 and 230 may be possible ordesirable in some applications. While hinge 208 employs pivotalconnections formed by connecting links 228 and 230, other types offlexible connections may be possible, using for example and withoutlimitation, ball joints (not shown) and/or sliding joints (not shown).

Strain gauge sensor 50 is mounted on torque reacting first link 226 andfunctions to measure the amount of strain created in torque reactingfirst link 226 as a result of the force transmitted from second headportion 224 to first head portion 218 solely through torque reactingfirst link 226. While strain gauge sensor 50 has been illustrated in thedisclosed embodiment, other types of sensors (not shown) may be employedto measure the torque transmitted through torque reacting first link226.

From the forgoing description, it may be appreciated that torquereacting first link 226 along with strain gauge sensor 50 provide ameans, located entirely within head 206 for measuring the amount oftorque applied to fastener 38. As a result of this arrangement, themeasured torque readings are substantially unaffected by the pivotalposition of handle 204.

In operation, a force applied to handle 204 is transmitted through hinge208 to second head portion 224, which transmits the applied forcethrough links 226, 228, and 230 to first head portion 218 where it isapplied to fastener 38. Torque reacting first link 226 essentiallyisolates that portion of the force applied to fastener 38 that resultsin a torque on fastener 38, i.e., the force applied to fastener 38 thatis perpendicular to the axis of rotation 222, from the component F_(z)of the force that is applied “off-axis”, i.e., not perpendicular to theaxis of rotation 222. The off-axis component F_(z) of the force appliedto the fastener 38 is transmitted substantially entirely through thesecond and third connecting links 228 and 230. Connecting links 228 and230 thus form pivotal connections that hold torque reacting first link226 in a substantially fixed position on electronic torque wrench 202,and react against the off-axis component F_(z) of the applied force F.

Electronic torque wrench 202 may be similar in other respects toelectronic torque wrench 44 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. For example andwithout limitation, electronic torque wrench 202 may includemeasuring/trigger circuit 57 which functions to cause UWB pulse signaltransmitter 52 in handle 204 to transmit wireless signals indicating thelocation and/or magnitude of the sensed torque. Similarly, electronictorque wrench 202 may include annunciator 58 which may comprise, forexample and without limitation, the LED shown in the drawings.

An alternate embodiment of electronic torque wrench 202 a is illustratedin FIGS. 18 and 19. Electronic torque wrench 202 a is similar to thatpreviously described in connection with FIGS. 15-17, but includes analternate form of hinge 208 a wherein second head portions 224 a isconfigured to be received within opening 242 defined between spacedapart tines 240 that are integrally formed with the end of handle 204.Pins 244 pivotally connect the opposite ends of second head portion 224a with tines 240.

Embodiments of the disclosure may find use in a variety of potentialapplications, particularly in the transportation industry, including forexample, aerospace, marine and automotive applications. Thus, referringnow to FIGS. 20 and 21, embodiments of the disclosure may be used in thecontext of aircraft manufacturing and service method 250 as shown inFIG. 20 and aircraft 252 as shown in FIG. 21. During pre-production,aircraft manufacturing and service method 250 may include specificationand design 254 of aircraft 252 and material procurement 256. Duringproduction, component and subassembly manufacturing 258 and systemintegration 260 of aircraft 252 takes place. Thereafter, aircraft 252may go through certification and delivery 262 in order to be placed inservice 264. While in service by a customer, aircraft 252 is scheduledfor routine maintenance and service 266 (which may also includemodification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on).

Each of the processes of aircraft manufacturing and service method 250may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party,and/or an operator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of thisdescription, a system integrator may include, without limitation, anynumber of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; athird party may include, without limitation, any number of vendors,subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline,leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 21, aircraft 252 produced by aircraft manufacturing andservice method 250 may include airframe 268 with plurality of systems270 and interior 272. Examples of high-level systems 270 include one ormore of propulsion system 274, electrical system 276, hydraulic system278, and environmental system 280. Any number of other systems may beincluded. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of thedisclosure may be applied to other industries, such as the marine andautomotive industries.

Systems and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one ormore of the stages of aircraft manufacturing and service method 250. Forexample, components or subassemblies corresponding to production process258 may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to componentsor subassemblies produced while aircraft 252 is in service. Also, one ormore apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereofmay be utilized during the production stages 258 and 260, for example,by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft252. Similarly, one or more of apparatus embodiments, methodembodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while aircraft 252is in service, for example and without limitation, to maintenance andservice 266.

Turning now to FIG. 22, an illustration of a manufacturing environmentin the form of a block diagram is depicted in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. In FIG. 22, manufacturing environment 2200 isan illustrative example of an environment in which the differentillustrative embodiments may be implemented to monitor implementationand completion of operations. Although depicted as manufacturingenvironment 2200, this environment may comprise other types ofenvironments such as operating environments, repair environments,maintenance environments, or other suitable environment.

Manufacturing environment 2200 is an example of manufacturingenvironment 24 of FIG. 1. As depicted manufacturing environment 2200includes object space 2202, tool 2204, number of areas 2206, locatingsystem 2208, and display and reporting system 2210.

A “number” as used herein with reference to items means one or moreitems. For example, a number of areas is one or more areas.

In this illustrative example, object space 2202 is the three-dimensionalphysical environment in which tool 2204 and number of areas 2206 ispresent. Object space 2202 includes coordinate system 2212. Coordinatesystem 2212 is a system which uses values, or coordinates, to identifythe position of a point in object space 2202.

For example, a first area in number of areas 2206 may have a unique setof coordinates to identify the location of the first area within objectspace 2202. Likewise, tool 2204 may have a set of coordinates toidentify the location of tool 2204 within object space 2202 at a giventime. Tool 2204 may move within object space 2202 in relation to numberof areas 2206 and other objects within object space 2202. However, thelocation of tool 2204 at various times may be identified within objectspace 2202 using coordinate system 2212 to identify the relationship oftool 2204 to number of areas 2206.

In this illustrative example, tool 2204 includes functional component2216, sensor 2218, converter 2220, measuring circuit 2222, processor2224, memory 2226, number of transmitters 2228, indicator 2230, numberof antennas 2232, and battery 2234. Tool 2204 is configured to performoperation 2214 on number of areas 2206 using functional component 2216.For example, tool 2204 may be a torque wrench such as electrical torquewrench 44 of FIG. 4. In this illustrative example, functional component2216 may be an opening such as jaws 48 of FIG. 4. Number of areas 2206may comprise a number of surfaces, a number of parts, a number of holes,or any other types of areas which could receive operation 2214. In thisillustrative example, number of areas 2206 may comprise a number oftorque nuts to be torqued, such as torque nut 38 of FIG. 14. In thisillustrative example, operation 2214 may be torquing a nut to aproscribed or desired value using a torque wrench. The desired value maybe a value to satisfy specifications. In one illustrative example, thedesired value may be 45 foot pounds torque.

As depicted tool 2204 may be selected from at least one of a torquewrench, an inspection tool, a hole-measuring device, a drill, alubricant applicator, a surface finish applicator, heating equipment,and other types of equipment. Functional component 2216 may be selectedbased on tool 2204 and operation 2214. Functional component 2216 may beselected from at least one of jaws, a wrench head, an energy emitter, ashaped insertion portion, caliper jaws, a drill bit, a spray applicator,a brush applicator, a heating pad, and other types of equipment.Operation 2214 may be selected from at least one of torquing, drilling,measuring, inspecting, applying, spraying, transporting, heating, andother types of operations.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list ofitems, means different combinations of one or more of the listed itemsmay be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. Forexample, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may include,without limitation, item A or item A and item B. This example also mayinclude item A, item B, and item C, or item B and item C.

Sensor 2218 is configured to measure a physical property related tooperation 2214. As depicted sensor 2218 may be selected from at leastone of a strain gauge, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or othersensing equipment. In one illustrative example, tool 2204 is a torquewrench and sensor 2218 is a strain gauge configured to measure theamount of torque applied to a nut. In another illustrative example, tool2204 is a hole measuring device and sensor 2218 is a contactdisplacement sensor. In yet another illustrative example, tool 2204 isan electronic caliper and sensor 2218 is a capacitance reader.

Converter 2220 is configured to convert or change an analog output ofsensor 2218 to a digital output. Digital output from converter 2220 maythen be sent to other components of tool 2204 for further processing.

Measuring circuit 2222 is configured to receive and measure the digitalsignal from converter 2220. Measuring circuit 2222 may then send themeasured value of the digital signal to processor 2224, memory 2226, oranother component of tool 2204 for further processing.

In some illustrative examples, measuring circuit 2222 may also functionas a triggering circuit. In these illustrative examples, measuringcircuit 2222 may issue a trigger signal to number of transmitters 2228or indicator 2230. Measuring circuit 2222 may send a trigger signal tonumber of transmitters 2228 to transmit when the measured value meets orexceeds a threshold value. In one illustrative example, the thresholdvalue may be a nominal or nonzero value. In this illustrative example,when operation 2214 begins, sensor 2218 produces a nonzero output andnumber of transmitters 2228 receives a trigger signal from measuringcircuit 2222. Thus number of transmitters 2228 transmits while tool 2204conducts operation 2214.

In another illustrative example, threshold value may be configured totrigger number of transmitters 2228 to transmit upon completion ofoperation 2214 by tool 2204. In this illustrative example, the thresholdvalue may be a desired value for completion of operation 2214. In oneillustrative example, the threshold value may be the desired torque tobe applied to a nut during operation 2214.

In one illustrative example, tool 2204 may have a single transmitter. Inanother illustrative example, tool 2204 has two transmitters separatedby a known distance. The distance between functional component 2216 anda transmitter of number of transmitters 2228 may be a known distance.The location of the area in number of areas 2206 receiving operation2214 may be identified based on the location of a transmitter of numberof transmitters 2228 and the known distance.

Number of transmitters 2228 is configured to transmit signals 2236 fromtool 2204 using number of antennas 2232. In one illustrative example,signals 2236 are pulse signals. A pulse signal is a signal with a rapidchange in a characteristic of the signal from a baseline to a higher orlower value followed by a return to the baseline value. Number oftransmitters 2228 may be a number of radio frequency pulse transmitters.In one illustrative example, number of transmitters 2228 transmits ultrawide band pulse signals. As used herein, ultra wide band includesfrequencies with the range of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. When number oftransmitters 2228 includes more than one transmitter, each transmitterin number of transmitters 2228 may use a method to differentiate pulsesignals from each transmitter in the number of transmitters 2228 fromthe pulse signals sent by the other transmitters in the number oftransmitters 2228. Methods may include transmitting a pulse signal witha different frequency range than the other transmitters, different pulsewidth than the other transmitters, unique pulse leading edge or trailingedge data pattern than the other transmitters, or other methods whichdifferentiate pulse signals from each transmitter in the number oftransmitters 2228 from the pulse signals sent by the other transmittersin the number of transmitters 2228.

In one illustrative example, signals 2236 may act as a beacon signal. Inthis illustrative example, signals 2236 are pulse signals and number oftransmitters 2228 transmits signals 2236 continuously. In thisillustrative example, transmitting continuously means continuedtransmission over a period of time. Although signals 2236 are broadcastcontinuously, there may be time in between each signal. In other words,there may be times when no signal is currently transmitted.

In this illustrative example, a beacon signal is similar to a weatherbeacon on top of a tall building. In a weather beacon, a light flashesor pulses on and off continuously. This flashing indicates to aircraftthe location of a tall building. Because the light flashes, the light isnot always lit, however the transmission is continuous.

Beacon signals may be used to determine information associated with tool2204. In this illustrative example, signals 2236 can be used todetermine if tool 2204 is present in manufacturing environment 2200, thelocation of number of transmitters 2228, if tool 2204 is performingoperation 2214, direction of movement of tool 2204 in manufacturingenvironment, and other information related to tool 2204. Transmission ofsignals 2236 by number of transmitters 2228 as a beacon signal may betriggered in several ways. In one illustrative example, a button on tool2204 may be activated to trigger number of transmitters 2228. In anotherillustrative example, entering manufacturing environment 2200 maytrigger number of transmitters 2228. In this illustrative example, evenif tool 2204 is not performing operation 2214, number of transmitters2228 transmits signals 2236. Thus the location of tool 2204 withinobject space 2202 can be identified even when tool 2204 is notperforming operation 2214.

In another illustrative example, signals 2236 are pulse signals andnumber of transmitters 2228 transmits signals 2236 in response tooperation 2214. In this illustrative example, number of transmitters2228 may be triggered by measuring circuit 2222, processor 2224,activating button on tool 2204, or another triggering mechanism.Measuring circuit 2222 or processor 2224 may trigger number oftransmitters 2228 in response to a value of sensor data meeting orexceeding a threshold value. By triggering number of transmitters 2228in response to operation 2214, signals 2236 are transmitted duringoperation 2214. Thus signals 2236 may be used to determinecharacteristics of operation 2214. Characteristics of operation 2214 maybe selected from at least one of direction of movement, speed ofmovement, distance of movement, consistency of operation, and type ofoperation, and other aspects of operation 2214.

Further, transmission of signals 2236 during movement of tool 2204 mayenhance the accuracy of identifying the location of number oftransmitters 2228. Movement of number of transmitters 2228 providesmultiple paths for signals 2236 to reach locating system 2208.Additionally, in illustrative examples in which tool 2204 rotates aroundthe area receiving operation 2214, arcs may be traced along the movementof number of transmitters 2228. These arcs may be used to derive thelocation of functional component 2216.

In yet another illustrative example, signals 2236 are pulse signals andnumber of transmitters 2228 transmits signals 2236 in response tocompletion of operation 2214. In this illustrative example, number oftransmitters 2228 may be triggered by measuring circuit 2222, processor2224, activating a button on tool 2204, or another triggering mechanism.

Signals 2236 contain data. Data within signals 2236 may be selected fromat least one of time of transmission of signal, type of tool, identityof transmitter, known distance from functional component, data fromsensor, data from other sources, type of area to receive operation, andother types of data. Data contained in signals 2236 may be used togenerate location measurements in locating system 2208. Data containedin signals 2236 may be used to calculate location of tool 2204 withinobject space 2202. Data contained in signals 2236 may be used tocalculate location of functional component in object space 2202.

Indicator 2230 is configured to indicate the completion of a function.As depicted indicator 2230 may be selected from at least one of a numberof LED lights, an audio signal generator, a vibrator, or otherindicating equipment. Indicator 2230 may be an annunciator such asannunciator 58 of FIG. 4. Indicator 2230 presents a message orindication following completion of a function. Indicator 2230 mayindicate at least one of completion of operation 2214 on an area innumber of areas 2206, receipt of signals 2236 by locating system 2208,identification of the location of tool 2204 within object space 2202,identification of the location of an area in number of areas 2206 bydisplay and reporting system 2210, and notice of completion of operation2214 by display and reporting system 2210.

Indicator 2230 indicates completion of operation 2214 on an area innumber of areas 2206 to signal to the operator to stop operation 2214.In one illustrative example, tool 2204 is a torque wrench. In thisillustrative example, indicator 2230 indicates to the operator of tool2204 that the desired application of torque has been reached and theoperator may stop applying torque.

Indicator 2230 indicates completion of other functions by locatingsystem 2208 and display and reporting system 2210 to signal to anoperator of tool 2204 that tool 2204 may be moved to another area innumber of areas 2206. If an operator of tool 2204 were to move tool 2204without receiving an indication, operator may perform operation 2214 onseveral areas of number of areas 2206 without locating system 2208 ordisplay and reporting system 2210 receiving necessary data. Operator oftool 2204 would then have to repeat operation 2214 on the several areasof number of areas 2206 for locating system 2208 and display andreporting system 2210 to receive the necessary data to mark operation2214 as complete for the several areas of number of areas 2206.

In one illustrative example, indicator 2230 is two lights on tool 2204.The two lights of indicator 2203 may be, for example, light emittingdiode lights. Upon completion of operation 2214, a first light ofindicator 2230 may illuminate to indicate completion of operation 2214.The second light of indicator 2230 may illuminate upon completion ofcalculations by display and reporting system 2210 for operation 2214.After illumination of the second light of indicator 2230, operator oftool 2204 may then move tool 2204 within object space 2202 to anotherarea to perform operation 2214.

In another illustrative example, indicator 2230 is a single light. Thelight may illuminate in different colors to indicate completion ofdifferent functions. In one illustrative example, light of indicator2230 illuminates red upon completion of operation 2214. Light ofindicator 2230 may later illuminate green upon completion ofcalculations by display and reporting system 2210. In this illustrativeexample, different colors are used to indicate completion of differentfunctions. In another illustrative example, number of flashes of thelight or length of flashes of the light may be used to indicatecompletion of different functions.

In another illustrative example, indicator 2230 is a combination of alight and another alert generator. Alert generator may be, for example,an audio signal generator, a vibrator, or some other suitable alertgeneration device. Upon completion of operation 2214 the alert generatormay signal to the operator to stop performing operation 2214 as adesired value has been reached. The light may illuminate upon completionof functions by locating system 2208 or display and reporting system2210.

Data regarding operation 2214 may be saved in memory 2226. Dataregarding performance of operation 2214 may be selected from at leastone of beginning time of operation 2214, completion time of operation2214, data from sensor 2218 during operation 2214, data transmitted insignals 2236 regarding operation 2214, and other data. Memory 2226 maycontain data regarding the type of operation such as type of tool 2204,the desired value for operation 2214, type of area to receive operation2214, and other data regarding type of operation for operation 2214.Memory 2226 may also store data received from sources outside of tool2204 such as data received from display and reporting system 2210 orlocating system 2208.

Electronic components of tool 2204, including transmitter 2228,processor 2224, and indicator 2230, may be powered by battery 2234.Battery 2234 may also be used by functional component 2216 to performoperation 2214. In some illustrative examples, an alternative powersource such as a power cord may be used instead of battery 2234.

Tool 2204 may also include other optional sensors. In one illustrativeexample, tool 2204 may include a gyroscopic sensor. The gyroscopicsensor may generate data regarding the direction tool 2204 is facingwithin object space 2202.

In these illustrative examples, data from optional sensors in tool 2204may be sent in signals 2236. Data from optional sensors in tool 2204 mayalso be saved in memory 2226. Data from the optional sensors may be usedto supplement location measurements 2242 in identifications of locationof number of transmitters 2228 by display and reporting system 2210.Data from the optional sensors may also be used to supplement data fromsensor 2218.

As depicted locating system 2208 has number of radios 2238 which hasnumber of antennas 2240. Number of radios 2238 may receive signals 2236sent by number of transmitters 2228 using number of antennas 2232.Locating system 2208 determines location measurements 2242 from signals2236. Location measurements 2242 may include angle of arrival (AOA),time difference of arrival (TDOA), time of arrival (TOA), or othermeasurements.

Number of radios 2238 may be a wired system, a wireless system, or acombination of wired and wireless. In a wired system, number of radios2238 is a number of receivers. In a wireless system, number of radios2238 is a number of wireless transceivers.

In locating system 2208 one radio in number of radios 2238 acts as asynchronizing radio. Synchronizing number of radios 2238 causes numberof radios 2238 to operate on the same internal time.

Number of radios 2238 is configured within object space 2202 such thateach area in number of areas 2206 is within line of sight of at leasttwo radios in number of radios 2238. Although two radios is thesuggested minimum number of radios within line of sight of an areawithin number of areas 2206, more radios may fit this criteria. In oneillustrative example, each area in number of areas 2206 is in line ofsight of at least four radios in number of radios 2238.

Signals 2236 received by radios in number of radios 2238 which are notin line of sight of the area receiving operation 2214 have reflected offof objects within object space 2202 before reaching the radios. Usingmeasurements of signals 2236 from radios in number of radios 2238 whichare not within line of sight introduces noise into the calculations.Thus, measurements taken by radios in number of radios 2238 which arenot in line of sight of the area receiving operation 2214 may be ignoredin calculations by display and reporting system 2210.

Locating system 2208 transmits location measurements 2242 to display andreporting system 2210 using wireless or wired means. Display andreporting system 2210 is configured to identify location of tool 2204 inobject space 2202 based on location measurements 2242. Display andreporting system 2210 is also configured to identify the location of thearea of number of areas 2206 receiving operation 2214 based on thelocation of number of transmitters 2228 in object space 2202.

As used herein, identify may comprise to ascertain or determine.Identification may be performed based on at least one of calculations,comparisons, logic, or other suitable processes. Identification may beperformed using a number of inputs. Identification may use an inputdirectly or indirectly.

In one illustrative example, an identification may directly use an inputof location measurements 2242 to identify a location of a transmitter innumber of transmitters 2228 in object space 2202. In thisidentification, location measurements 2242 may be used in calculationsor determinations to identify a location of a transmitter in number oftransmitters 2228 in object space 2202.

In another illustrative example, an identification may indirectly use aninput of location measurements 2242 to identify a location of the areaof number of areas 2206 receiving operation 2214. In this illustrativeexample, location measurements 2242 may not be used directly incalculations or determinations to identify a location of the area ofnumber of areas 2206 receiving operation 2214. Instead, locationmeasurements 2242 may be used to identify a location of a transmitter innumber of transmitters 2228 in object space 2202. The location of thetransmitter in number of transmitters 2228 in object space 2202 may thenbe used to identify a location of the area of number of areas 2206receiving operation 2214. In this illustrative example, locationmeasurements 2242 were used indirectly to identify a location of thearea of number of areas 2206 receiving operation 2214.

Display and reporting system 2210 may be implemented in software,hardware, or a combination of the two. When software is used, theoperations performed by display and reporting system 2210 may beimplemented in program code configured to run on a processor unit. Whenhardware is employed, the hardware may include circuits that operate toperform the operations in display and reporting system 2210.

In the illustrative examples, the hardware may take the form of acircuit system, an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, or some othersuitable type of hardware configured to perform a number of operations.With a programmable logic device, the device is configured to performthe number of operations. The device may be reconfigured at a later timeor may be permanently configured to perform the number of operations.Examples of programmable logic devices include, for example, aprogrammable logic array, a programmable array logic, a fieldprogrammable logic array, a field programmable gate array, and othersuitable hardware devices. Additionally, the processes may beimplemented in organic components integrated with inorganic componentsand/or may be comprised entirely of organic components excluding a humanbeing. For example, the processes may be implemented as circuits inorganic semiconductors.

As depicted display and reporting system 2210 contains processor 2244,data 2246, and number of displays 2248. Processor 2244 may be configuredto identify location of number of transmitters 2228 of tool 2204 inobject space 2202 based on location measurements 2242. Processor 2244may identify location of number of transmitters 2228 using all oflocation measurements 2242 or a subset of location measurements 2242. Inone illustrative example, processor 2244 performs algorithms on locationmeasurements 2242 to eliminate measurements in location measurements2242 which may have been collected from radios in number of radios 2238which are not within line of sight of the area receiving operation 2214.Using known locations of number of radios 2238 and location measurements2242, processor 2244 identifies the location of number of transmitters2228 in object space 2202.

Processor 2244 is also configured to identify the location of the areain number of areas 2206 receiving operation 2214. Location of the areain number of areas 2206 is identified based on the location of number oftransmitters 2228. In one illustrative example, location of the area innumber of areas 2206 is identified using location of number oftransmitters 2228 in object space 2202. In this example, location of thearea in number of areas 2206 is in coordinate system 2212 of objectspace 2202. Processor 2244 may later convert location of the area innumber of areas 2206 in coordinate system 2212 to a location in anothercoordinate system, such as coordinate system 2254 of image space 2252.

In another illustrative example, location of the area in number of areas2206 is identified based on location of number of transmitters 2228 in adifferent coordinate system, such as image space 2252 of data 2246. Inthis illustrative example, location of transmitters 2228 in coordinatesystem 2212 is converted to a location in coordinate system 2254 ofimage space 2252. Location of the area in number of areas 2206 isidentified using location of number of transmitters 2228 in image space2252. In this example, location of the area in number of areas 2206 isin coordinate system 2254 of image space 2252.

Processor 2244 may use additional data such as data 2246 to performcalculations, identifications, and determinations. As depicted data 2246includes three dimensional data sets 2250 and image space 2252. Imagespace 2252 has coordinate system 2254.

Three dimensional data sets 2250 include schematics, representations,models, and other data for objects within object space. Threedimensional data sets 2250 may contain known locations of number ofareas 2206. Three dimensional data sets 2250 may be displayed on numberof displays 2248 of display and reporting system 2210. Three dimensionaldata sets 2250 may be used to generate three dimensional or twodimensional images representing object space 2202 for display on numberof displays 2248.

Data 2246 also contains image space 2252. Image space 2252 is arepresentation of objects within object space 2202. As depicted imagespace 2252 may be selected from at least one of a three dimensional dataset in three dimensional data sets 2250, a two dimensional imagegenerated from three dimensional data sets 2250, a two dimensional imagegenerated from three dimensional data sets 2250, or another suitableimage. Coordinate system 2254 is a system which uses values, orcoordinates, to identify the position of a point in image space 2252.Because image space 2252 is a representation of objects within objectspace 2202, a location in coordinate system 2212 of object space 2202may be converted to a location in coordinate system 2254 of image space2252.

Further, in one illustrative example, an area of number of areas 2206receiving operation 2214 may be identified from three dimensional datasets 2250. Known locations of areas in number of areas 2206 are presentin image space 2252. Based on an identified location of number oftransmitters 2228 in image space 2252, areas in number of areas 2206near the location may be identified. In this illustrative example, areain number of areas 2206 receiving operation 2214 may be identified basedon distance from the identified location of number of transmitters 2228,type of area, type of tool, type of location, or other additional data.

Processor 2244 may also be configured to generate a notice of completionof operation. This notice of completion may also be referred to as adisplay of completion, a message of completion, or an indication ofcompletion. Processor 2244 may be configured direct number of displays2248 to indicate completion of operation 2214. Illustrative examples ofnotices of completion of operation 2214 are shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

Number of displays 2248 is configured to display data within display andreporting system 2210. Number of displays 2248 is in communication withprocessor 2244. Number of displays 2248 may be selected from at leastone of a monitor, a handheld screen, a projector, an LED, a screen, orother types of displays. Number of displays 2248 may be present on tool2204, on a wireless device, on a computer, projected onto a surface ofmanufacturing environment 2200, or other locations.

In an illustrative example, number of displays 2248 displays an imagerepresenting a portion of manufacturing environment 2200. In the image,number of areas 2206 may be identified with different colors. If an areaof number of areas 2206 has received operation 2214, that area may be adifferent color than areas which have not received operation 2214.

Additionally, display and reporting system 2210 may be in communicationwith tool 2204. Display and reporting system may receive data sent bytool 2204, such as data from sensor 2218. Likewise, display andreporting system 2210 may send messages of completion to tool 2204 fordisplay by indicator 2230.

The illustration of manufacturing environment 2200 in FIG. 22 is notmeant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner inwhich an illustrative example may be implemented. Other components inaddition to or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary. Also, the blocks are presented toillustrate some functional components. One or more of these blocks maybe combined, divided, or combined and divided into different blocks whenimplemented in an illustrative example.

For example, display and reporting system 2210 may be present outside ofmanufacturing environment 2200. As a further example, if operation datais not stored at tool 2204, memory 2226 is not present.

Turning now to FIG. 23, an illustration of a torque wrench is depictedin accordance with an illustrative example. As depicted torque wrench2300 is an example of tool 2204 of physical implementation of tool 2204shown in block form in FIG. 22.

Torque wrench 2300 includes first transmitter 2302, second transmitter2304, and functional component 2306. Vector 2308 is a line which can bedrawn through first transmitter 2302, second transmitter 2304, andfunctional component 2306. Second transmitter 2304 and functionalcomponent 2306 are separated by distance 2310. Distance 2310 is a knowndistance.

Torque wrench 2300 may be used to perform operation 2214 in FIG. 22. Inone illustrative example, torque wrench 2300 is used to torque a nut,such as nut 38 in FIG. 14. After completing the operation, firsttransmitter 2302 and second transmitter 2304 each transmit a signal.Using the signals, locations of first transmitter 2302 and secondtransmitter 2304 can be identified. Using locations of first transmitter2302 and second transmitter 2304, orientation of torque wrench 2300 canbe identified. Orientation of torque wrench 2300 may be selected from arelative position in an object space, a direction using the cardinaldirections, a relative position in an image space, or other suitableorientation.

Vector 2308 can be drawn through the identified locations of firsttransmitter 2302 and second transmitter 2304. Using vector 2308 anddistance 2310, location of functional component 2306 can be identified.Location of functional component 2306 can be used in determining thearea receiving operation 2214.

The different components shown in FIG. 23 may be combined withcomponents in FIG. 22, used with components in FIG. 22, or a combinationof the two. Additionally, some of the components in FIG. 23 may beillustrative examples of how components shown in block form in FIG. 22can be implemented as physical structures.

Turning now to FIG. 24, an illustration of a process for indicating thecompletion of an operation, in the form of a flowchart is depicted inaccordance with an illustrative example. The process illustrated in FIG.24 may be implemented in manufacturing environment 2200 to indicatecompletion of operation 2214.

The process begins by receiving a signal from a wireless transmitterassociated with a tool upon completion of an operation on an area usingthe tool, the signal comprising sensor data (operation 2402). Theprocess may receive the signal at a number of radios such as number ofradios 2238 of locating system 2208 in FIG. 22. The process thengenerates location measurements from the signal (operation 2404).Location measurements may include AOA, TDOA, or other suitablemeasurements. Location measurements may be generated by a number ofradios such as number of radios 2238 of locating system 2208 in FIG. 22.Following generation of the location measurements, the processidentifies a location of the wireless transmitter in an object spaceusing the location measurements (operation 2406). The location of thewireless transmitter in the object space may be identified by aprocessor, such as processor 2244 in display and reporting system 2210of FIG. 22.

Using the location of the wireless transmitter in the object space, theprocess then identifies a location of the area in an image coordinatesystem (operation 2208). The location of the area in the imagecoordinate system may be identified by a processor, such as processor2244 in display and reporting system 2210 of FIG. 22. The process mayuse other data in addition to the location measurements to identify thelocation of the area. Other data may include additional locationmeasurements gathered from additional signals, known limitations of theobject space, data within the signal, additional sensor data, and othertypes of data. Further, the process may identify the location of thearea in the object space prior to identifying a location of the area inthe image space.

In one illustrative example, the process converts the location of thewireless transmitter in the object space to a location of the wirelesstransmitter in the image space. Based on the location of the wirelesstransmitter in the image space, the location of the area in the imagespace is identified.

In another illustrative example, the process identifies the location ofthe area in the object space from the location of the wirelesstransmitter in the object space. The process then converts the locationof the area in the object space to a location in the image space toidentify the location of the area in the image coordinate system.

Location of the area may be identified in a variety of ways. In oneillustrative example, the tool contains a single transmitter. In thisillustrative example, the location of the area may be identified basedon movement of the tool and thus movement of the transmitter. Thelocation of the area may be identified based on multiple signals fromthe transmitter during the operation. In another illustrative example, agyroscope or other directional sensor may be used in conjunction withthe transmitter. A single signal in combination with a directionalmeasurement can be used to identify the location of the area.

In another illustrative example, the tool may have two transmitters. Thelocation of the area may be identified based on a single signal fromboth transmitters. A vector may be drawn through the identified locationof both transmitters. Based on the identified location of bothtransmitters, an orientation of the tool in object space may beidentified. Further, based on a known distance from one of thetransmitters to a functional component, the location of the functionalcomponent, and thus the area, can be identified.

The locations of number of transmitters may be supplemented byadditional data to identify the location of the area. This additionaldata may be selected from at least one of: gyroscopic data, object spaceconstraints, type of tool, additional sensor data, and other types ofdata. Gyroscopic data may include data which indicates the direction thetool is facing within the object space. Object space constraints mayinclude known constraints of the manufacturing environment includinglocation of physical objects within object space, known locations ofareas within object space, types of areas within object space, and otherconstraints.

In one illustrative example, the tool is a hole measuring device. Basedon the type of tool, the type of area to receive an operation is a hole.In one illustrative example, the locations of all holes within themanufacturing environment are known. Accordingly, by comparing theidentified location of the transmitter of the hole measuring device tothe known locations of the holes, the hole receiving the operation maybe identified.

In another illustrative example, the tool to perform an operation is adrill. In this illustrative example, the drill has a known length andwidth. Additionally, the location of walls within the object space nearthe drill is known. The drill cannot pass through walls or other solidobjects. As a result, location of the drill may be identified by processof elimination, reducing the possible locations by those in which thedrill would have to intersect the walls.

After identifying the location of the area in the image coordinatesystem, the location of the area is used to identify the completion ofthe operation in an image (operation 2412). The completion of theoperation may be identified through the use of a chart, a graph, a twodimensional image, a three dimensional image, a color, or other data.

In one illustrative example, completion of the operation may beidentified by coloring an area in the image space a color representingcompletion. In one illustrative example, the image space represents allholes to be drilled in a component. After a drill has drilled a firsthole in the component, the region representing the first hole in theimage space may be colored green.

In another illustrative example, completion of the operation may beidentified by displaying data related to the area in a table. Oneillustrative example of displaying data in table form is table 98 ofFIG. 9. Table 98 displays the module number, fitting number, and torquevalue of the area which received the operation. In another illustrativeexample,

Turning now to FIG. 25, an illustration of a process for indicating thecompletion of an operation in the form of a flowchart is depicted inaccordance with an illustrative example. The process illustrated in FIG.25 may be implemented in manufacturing environment 2200 by tool 2204,locating system 2208, and display and reporting system 2210 to indicatecompletion of operation 2214.

The process begins by transmitting a number of signals from a wirelesstransmitter associated with the tool during an operation on an areausing the tool (operation 2502). Next the process receives the number ofsignals from the wireless transmitter associated with the tool whichwere transmitted during the operation on the part using the tool(operation 2504). The process may receive the number of signals at anumber of radios such as number of radios 2238 of FIG. 22. The processthen generates location measurements from the number of signals(operation 2506). Location measurements may include angle of arrival(AOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), or other suitablemeasurements. Location measurements may be generated by a number ofradios such as number of radios 2238 of locating system 2208 in FIG. 22.Using the location measurements, the process then identifies thelocation of the area in an object space (operation 2508). The locationof the area in the object space may be identified by a processor, suchas processor 2244 in display and reporting system 2210 of FIG. 22. Theprocess may then optionally determine a characteristic of the operationfrom the number of signals (operation 2510). Characteristics may bedetermined by a processor, such as processor 2244 in display andreporting system 2210 of FIG. 22. In one illustrative example, the toolis a torque wrench and a characteristic of the operation is whether thetorque wrench is tightening or loosening a corresponding nut. In anotherillustrative example, the tool is a surface preparation tool and thecharacteristic of the operation is the speed at which the tool movesacross the material.

The process converts the location of the area in the object space to alocation in an image coordinate system (operation 2512). The conversionmay be performed by a processor such as such as processor 2244 indisplay and reporting system 2210 of FIG. 22. In some illustrativeexamples, the location of the area in the image coordinate system may beused to identify a specific part or region in a schematic or threedimensional data set employing the image coordinate system.

The process next transmits a completion signal identifying completion ofthe operation (operation 2514). The completion signal may be transmittedby a wireless transmitter such as number of transmitters 2228 of tool2204 in FIG. 22. The process then identifies completion of the operationin an image using the image coordinate system (operation 2516). Theindication of completion may be triggered by a processor such asprocessor 2244 in display and reporting system 2210 in FIG. 22.Identification of completion of the operation may be on at least one ofa display such as number of displays 2248 in display and reportingsystem 2210 in FIG. 22, an indicator such as indicator 2230 of tool 2204in FIG. 22, or other suitable equipment. Finally, the process indicatesat the tool completion of at least one of the operation on the area,receipt of the completion signal, determination of the location of thearea in the object space, and identification of completion of theoperation in the image (operation 2518). Indication at the tool may beat an indicator such as indicator 2230 of FIG. 22.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted embodimentsillustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of somepossible implementations of apparatus and methods in an illustrativeembodiment. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or blockdiagrams may represent a module, a segment, a function, and/or a portionof an operation or step.

In some alternative implementations of an illustrative embodiment, thefunction or functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the ordernoted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown insuccession may be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be performed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. Also, other blocks may be added in addition tothe illustrated blocks in a flowchart or block diagram.

For example, in FIG. 24, location of the wireless transmitter in theobject space may be converted to the image coordinate system prior toidentifying a location of the area. Additionally, in FIG. 25, thelocation of the area in the object space may be converted to a locationin an image coordinate system after transmission of the completionsignal.

Accordingly, the illustrative embodiments provide for methods ofcompleting and indicating completion of operations in an environment.The method may be performed in harsh radio frequency environments. Themethod may be performed with a variety of different tools. Additionallythe method supports implementation of a knowledge-based control systemproviding real time information.

Further, the illustrative embodiments may provide at the toolindications of the completion of functions. The illustrative embodimentsmay also be implemented for gathering operation characteristics andother data for completed operations. The illustrative embodiments may beused to verify satisfactory completion of operations based onquantitative data. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments may also beused to indicate locations which require an operation to be performed.

The description of the different illustrative embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different illustrativeembodiments may provide different features as compared to otherillustrative embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a tool configured to performan operation on an area, the tool comprising a first wirelesstransmitter and a second wireless transmitter, the first wirelesstransmitter transmitting a first signal comprising sensor data uponcompletion of the operation, and the second wireless transmittertransmitting a second signal upon completion of the operation; a numberof radios configured to generate first location measurements using thefirst signal and second location measurements using the second signal,wherein the first location measurements comprise a first angle ofarrival of the first signal and a first time of arrival of the firstsignal and the second location measurements comprise a second angle ofarrival of the second signal and a second time of arrival of the secondsignal; and a processor identifying a position of the tool using thefirst location measurements and thereby locating a location of the area,identifying an orientation of the tool using the first locationmeasurements and the second location measurements, and generating anindication of completion of the operation.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the tool further comprises: an indicator configured to indicatethe generation of the indication of completion of the operation and atleast one of completion of the operation on the area, receipt of thefirst signal, identification of the location of the first wirelesstransmitter, and identification of the location of the area.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the tool further comprises: a trigger circuitconfigured to trigger the first wireless transmitter and the secondwireless transmitter to transmit as the tool begins the operation on thearea.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a number of areasincluding the area, wherein a number of locations for the number ofradios is selected such that that each of the areas in the number ofareas is within line-of-sight of at least two radios in the number ofradios.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wireless transmitteris configured to transmit a beacon signal.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the first wireless transmitter is configured to transmit ultrawide band pulse signals.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstlocation measurements further comprise a first time difference ofarrival and the second location measurements further comprise a secondtime difference of arrival.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is further configured to convert the location of the area inan object space to a corresponding location in an image coordinatesystem, and wherein the indication of completion of the operationcomprises identifying completion of the operation in an image using thelocation in the image coordinate system.
 9. A method for directingmanufacturing operations comprising: receiving, by a computer system, afirst signal from a first wireless transmitter associated with a toolupon completion of an operation on an area using the tool, the signalcomprising sensor data; generating, by the computer system, firstlocation measurements from the first signal, wherein the first locationmeasurements comprise a first angle of arrival of the first signal and afirst time of arrival of the first signal; receiving, by the computersystem, a second signal from a second wireless transmitter associatedwith the tool upon completion of the operation on the area using thetool; generating, by the computer system, second location measurementsfrom the second signal, wherein the second location measurementscomprise a second angle of arrival of the second signal and a secondtime of arrival of the second signal; identifying, by the computersystem, a location of the first wireless transmitter in an object spaceusing the first location measurements and thereby locating a position ofthe area in the object space; identifying, by the computer system, anorientation of the tool in the object space using the first locationmeasurements and the second location measurements; identifying, by thecomputer system, a location of the area in an image coordinate systemusing the location of the wireless transmitter in the object space; andindicating, by the computer system, completion of the operation in animage using the location of the area in the image coordinate system. 10.The method of claim 9 further comprising: receiving a number of signalsfrom the first wireless transmitter and the second wireless transmitterduring the operation; and identifying a characteristic of the operationfrom the number of signals.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thecharacteristic of the operation comprises at least one of: direction ofmovement, speed of movement, consistency of operation, and type ofoperation.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein indicating completion ofthe operation in an image comprises displaying a representation of thearea within the image representing the object space.
 13. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising: indicating, at the tool, completion of theoperation on the area, and at least one of receipt of the signal,determination of the location of the wireless transmitter in the objectspace, identification of the location of the area in the imagecoordinate system, and indication of completion of the operation in theimage.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first locationmeasurements further comprise a first time difference of arrival and thesecond location measurements further comprise a second time differenceof arrival.
 15. A method for directing manufacturing operationscomprising: receiving, by a computer system, a number of signals from afirst wireless transmitter and a second wireless transmitter associatedwith a tool, the number of signals transmitted during an operation on anarea using the tool, the number of signals including at least one signalfrom the first wireless transmitter and at least one signal from thesecond wireless transmitter; generating, by the computer system,location measurements from the number of signals, wherein the locationmeasurements comprise an angle of arrival of the number of signals and atime of arrival of the number of signals; identifying, by the computersystem, a position of the tool in an object space using the locationmeasurements and thereby locating a location of the area; converting, bythe computer system, the location of the area in the object space to alocation in an image coordinate system; and directing, by the computersystem, manufacturing operations on the area based on the location inthe image coordinate system.
 16. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising: receiving a completion signal identifying completion of theoperation; responsive to receipt of the completion signal, indicatingcompletion of the operation in an image using the image coordinatesystem.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising: determining acharacteristic of the operation from the number of signals.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein indicating completion of the operation in animage comprises displaying a representation of the area within an imagerepresenting the object space.
 19. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: indicating, at the tool, completion of the operation on thearea and at least one of receipt of the completion signal, determinationof the location of the area in the object space, and identification ofcompletion of the operation in the image.
 20. The method of claim 15,wherein the first wireless transmitter and the second wirelesstransmitter are configured to transmit ultra wide band pulse signals.21. A system comprising: a number of radios configured: to generatelocation measurements using a first signal transmitted by a firstwireless transmitter of a tool and a second signal transmitted by asecond wireless transmitter of the tool, wherein the tool is configuredto perform an operation on an area, wherein the location measurementscomprise an angle of arrival of the first signal, a time of arrival ofthe first signal, an angle of arrival of the second signal, and a timeof arrival of the second signal; and a processor configured: to identifya position and orientation of the tool using the location measurementsand thereby locating the location of the area, and to generate anindication of completion of the operation.
 22. The system of claim 21further comprising: the tool, the tool having a sensor, the firstwireless transmitter configured to transmit a signal comprising sensordata upon completion of the operation.